Thailand Live Wednesday 31 Dec 2014

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SAR to focus on finding passengers of AirAsia flight: Jokowi
By Digital Content

Jakarta, Dec 31 (ANTARA) - Indonesian President Joko Widodo has ordered the National Search and Rescue Agency (Basarnas) to hold joint search operations with the focus on tracking down the passengers of the missing AirAsia QZ8501 flight.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788133-sar-to-focus-on-finding-passengers-of-airasia-flight-jokowi/

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SRT, Transport Co.: No passengers will be left behind today



BANGKOK, 31 December 2014 (NNT) – Officials of the State Railway of Thailand and the Transport Company Limited have both expressed confidence no passengers will be left behind at the train and bus terminals on New Year's Eve.

According to Chaliao Waiyakanha, station master at Hua Lamphong train station in Bangkok, there are plenty of available seats on trains departing Bangkok on December 31. He expressed confidence there will be no passenger who cannot get a seat on the trains today. He also invited the public to choose to commute by train during the New Year's period. Trains are convenient, fast and safe.

The Mochit bus terminal for north- and northeast-bound buses in Bangkok became more crowded on Tuesday, compared to the previous day. The Transport Co. has prepared about 7,000 coach trips for New Year's Eve travel, as it expects around 150,000 people to board coaches at Mochit terminal today. Company personnel expressed their belief that all commuters will be able to depart on coaches by midnight and there will be no issues of people being left behind.


-- NNT 2014-12-31

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Thai economy sees recovery in 2015



BANGKOK: -- Thai economy will see gradual recovery next year as there is positive sign of consumption in the private sector and government investment, according to the Bank of Thailand (BoT).

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788137-thai-economy-sees-recovery-in-2015/

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Army rangers clash with suspected insurgents while patrolling Narathiwat's Ra-ngae; one insurgent shot dead, M-16 rifle, bombs seized /MCOT

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Beach parties, fireworks: World rings in New Year
The Associated Press

After a turbulent year marred by terror woes, Ebola outbreaks and a horrific series of airline disasters, many could be forgiven for saying good riddance to 2014 and gratefully ringing in a new year.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788141-beach-parties-fireworks-world-rings-in-new-year/

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'New Year Party Invitation' Leads to Fatal Shootings
By Khaosod English

CHONBURI - A gunman reportedly opened fire on a group of New Year party-goers in Chonburi because he was angered by the way they invited him to join the party.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788142-new-year-party-invitation-leads-to-fatal-shootings-in-chonburi/

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Toy drones to be controlled

BANGKOK: -- Concerned government authorities are now contemplating legislations to control unmanned aircraft or drones as they are gaining popularity in the country for its ability to provide airborne images that could threaten national security.

Full story: http://tech.thaivisa.com/drones-thailand-controlled/

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First of seven "dangerous New Year holidays" see 58 killed in road accidents

BANGKOK: -- The Road Safety Centre reported Wednesday that 508 road accidents happened on Tuesday, the first day of the seven-day road accident monitoring period for the New Year holidays.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788146-first-of-seven-dangerous-new-year-holidays-see-58-killed-in-road-accidents/

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UPDATE:

Bad weather halts recovery of bodies from AirAsia flight

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/787996-40-bodies-have-been-recovered-in-the-search-for-the-missing-airasia-plane/page-6?p=8875493#entry8875493

[Lite Beer]

CDC to issue monthly booklet on charter writing

BANGKOK: -- The Constitution Drafting Committee will issue a monthly booklet to keep public informed of the progress of the charter writing, Manij Suksomjit, the chairman of the CDC subcommittee on information dissemination, said Wednesday.

The first issue of the booklet will be distributed in 30,000 copies on January 12.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/CDC-to-issue-monthly-booklet-on-charter-writing-30251039.html

-- The Nation 2014-12-31

[Lite Beer]

Over 12,000 tourists stay overnight on Doi Inthanon

BANGKOK: -- The mercury atop the Doi Inthanon mountain plunged to one Celsius degree Wednesday morning.

The chilling weather was enjoyed by 12,206 tourists who stayed overnight at the two camping grounds on the mountaintop Tuesday night.

Park officials said the collected Bt588,920 entrance fees from the tourists Tuesday. They arrived on 246 motorcycles and 2,800 other vehicles.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Over-12000-tourists-stay-overnight-on-Doi-Inthanon-30251038.html

-- The Nation 2014-12-31

[Lite Beer]

4 laws need to be enacted urgently before next election

BANGKOK: -- Jet Thonawanit, chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee's sub-committee on existing law amendments, said four pieces of laws need to be urgently amended or enacted before the next election.

They are the Political Parties Act, the MPs and Senators Election Act, the Election Commission Act and the election cases procedural code.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/4-laws-need-to-be-enacted-urgently-before-next-ele-30251041.html

-- The Nation 2014-12-31

[Lite Beer]

Clash leaves one RKK terrorist dead

BANGKOK: -- One RKK militant was killed in a clash with government soldiers in Ra-ngae district of Narathiwat province Wednesday morning.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788185-clash-in-narathiwat-leaves-one-rkk-terrorist-dead/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Rumours of new HTC A52 Desire phone, made for taking great selfies

Rumours are circulating that HTC will unveil the HTC A52 phone, purpose built for taking selfies, at CES 2015

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/rumours-new-htc-a52-desire-phone-made-taking-great-selfies/

[Jonathan Fairfield]

Chinese phone company Xiaomi is world’s most valuable start-up

There’s a mobile phone company that many people outside China have never even heard of. It’s called Xiaomi and it has become the world’s most valuable technology start-up just four years since it was founded in 2010, now valued at $45 billion.

Read more: http://tech.thaivisa.com/xiaomi-worlds-most-valuable-start-up/

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Spot The Difference – Litter “Police” Vs Real Police
Published by Stickboy BKK



BANGKOK: -- First things first, these men in uniform are NOT police officers. I’m simply using the title as a way of helping people find this page as cigarette or litter police is what they are most often called.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788181-spot-the-difference-litter-police-vs-real-police/

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Fire damages over 150 years old buildings in army barrack



BANGKOK: -- A predawn fire broke out inside the Panurangsri army barrack in Ratchaburi province Wednesday gutting two old buildings to the ground. The 150 years old buildings were built during the reign of King Rama IV.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788186-fire-damages-over-150-years-old-buildings-in-thai-army-barrack/

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Police and security patrol at central train station to assure safety for passengers

BANGKOK, 31 December 2014 (NNT)- Bangkok’s Central Train Station has been bustling with passengers waiting to board to the trains going home this morning.

Hundreds of passengers have since early this morning crowded the hall of Hua Lamphong station, waiting for the trains to take them back to their hometowns for the long holidays.

Tickets have reportedly been booked well in advance as they would become scarce during the holiday season. The State Railway of Thailand has dispatched a team of police officers and security staff to the train station to assure safety for passengers.


-- NNT 2014-12-31

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Trang to complete rubber farmers compensation payment in Jan

TRANG, 31 December 2014 (NNT) – Almost 97 percent of registered rubber farmers in Trang have already received their compensation payments, while the province is set to complete the whole payment to the rest of the farmers within January 2015.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788188-trang-to-complete-rubber-farmers-compensation-payment-in-january/

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Special Report: Thais nationwide celebrate New Year

BANGKOK: -- Thai people are having a five-day public holiday, from 31 December 2014 to 4 January 2015, on the occasion of the festive New Year celebration.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788191-thais-nationwide-celebrate-new-year-special-report/

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'Astrologer Warin' predicts no election in 2016

BANGKOK: -- Warin Buawiratlert, a well-known fortune teller from Chiang Mai, predicted that there will be no election in 2016.

He said it will take a few years before the junta could return Thailand to normalcy and make it ready for an election. Warin is known to be respected and believed by the 2006 coup maker and has earned the nickname of the astrologer for the Council for National Security.

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/breakingnews/Astrologer-Warin-predicts-no-election-in-2016-30251045.html


-- The Nation 2014-12-31

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France drops its super tax on millionaires
SYLVIE CORBET, Associated Press

PARIS (AP) — It was supposed to force millionaires to pay tax rates of up to 75 percent: "Cuba without the sun," as described by a critic from the banking industry. Socialist President Francois Hollande's super tax was rejected by a court, rewritten and ultimately netted just a sliver of its projected proceeds. It ends on Wednesday and will not be renewed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788211-france-drops-its-super-tax-on-millionaires/

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Thai Human Rights Commission Slated For 'Downgrading'
By Khaosod English


Amara Pongsapitchaya, chairwoman of National Human Rights Committee (NHRC), offering flowers to then Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva on 18 March 2010, thanking him for "displaying restraint" toward Redshirts protesters. More than 90 people, mostly civilians, were killed in the crackdown ordered by Mr. Abhisit.

BANGKOK - A major international human rights body has flagged Thailand's national human rights commission for a "downgrading," citing its questionable role in tackling civil rights issues.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788212-thai-human-rights-commission-slated-for-downgrading/

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Police Commissioner-General gives New Year message



BANGKOK, 31 December 2014 (NNT) – The Commissioner-General of the Royal Thai Police has given his New Year’s message, ensuring the police are motivated in fulfilling their duties for the benefit of the public and assured the development of the 191 service center into a fully fledged system that the people can rely on.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788213-thai-police-commissioner-general-gives-new-year-message/

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UPDATE:

1st dangerous day, 508 accidents, 58 deaths, 517 injuries

BANGKOK, 31December 2014 (NNT) - The Directing Center for Road Accident Prevention and Reduction during New Year 2015 holidays has revealed there have already been 508 accidents, causing 58 deaths and 517 injuries on the first day of the seven dangerous days.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788146-first-of-seven-dangerous-new-year-holidays-see-58-killed-in-road-accidents/#entry8876256

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DLT: Smart Card driver license optional for current holders

BANGKOK, 31 December 2014 (NNT) – Changes in regulations to carrying the new Smart Card driver license are not required for the current permanent license holders unless their permit has expired, the Department of Land transport Director-General has confirmed.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788215-dept-of-land-transport-smart-card-driver-license-optional-for-current-holders/

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Police to provide protection and traffic assistance at countdown events

BANGKOK, 31 December 2014 (NNT) – The Royal Thai Police will take extra precautions on preventing criminal activity and will provid traffic management and assistance for the countdown events tonight, said an official.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788217-thai-police-to-provide-protection-and-traffic-assistance-at-countdown-events/

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Republican leaders look for Scalise flap to blow over
CHARLES BABINGTON, Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Party leaders hope that a flare-up over an appearance before a white supremacist group 12 years ago by the House's third-ranking Republican will fade ahead of the convening of the new Congress.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788221-us-republican-leaders-look-for-scalise-flap-to-blow-over/

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Angry Southern Ranger Shoots Squadmate, Police Say
By Khaosod English


Sayan Paksasorn as he was being led away by security officers, 30 December 2014

PATTANI - An army volunteer ranger is under arrest for allegedly shooting at his squadmate over a dispute in the restive southern province of Pattani.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788223-angry-southern-ranger-shoots-squadmate-thai-police-say/

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UPDATE:

Traffic accidents kill 58 New Year travelers
By Digital Content



BANGKOK, Dec 31 -- Deputy Transport Minister Arkhom Termpittayapaisith said that yesterday when the government started its New Year road safety campaign, there were 508 accidents in which 58 people were killed and 517 others were injured.

Full story: http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/788146-first-of-seven-dangerous-new-year-holidays-see-58-killed-in-road-accidents/#entry8876701